CONCORD, N.C. — Carl Edwards easily claimed the $1 million payday Saturday night with a flawless run in the Sprint All-Star Race.

His only mistake at Charlotte Motor Speedway came after he beat Kyle Busch to the checkered flag. Although it appeared Edwards ran over either a manhole cover or drainage device, a collision that caused heavy damage to the front of his Roush Fenway Racing Ford, track officials said the infield has only grass, so it wasn’t clear what caused all the mishap.

“That’s a million dollars. We just won a million dollars,” Edwards said from Victory Lane. “I feel so bad about tearing up the car. But I’m sure Bob’s (Osborne, crew chief) got a better one.”

INDIANAPOLIS — Alex Tagliani is the first Canadian driver to win the pole at the Indianapolis 500.

He posted a four-lap average of 227.472 mph on the final qualifying attempt. That knocked 2008 Indy winner Scott Dixon off the pole.

Tagliani got it right when everybody else seemed to be making mistakes. Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick failed to qualify in the race’s top 24. They will have to earn one of nine open slots today. Helio Castroneves didn’t even reach the day-ending shootout as he went for an unprecedented third straight pole.

Defending champion Dario Franchitti was in contention for the pole on the third-to-last run of the day but ran out of gas on the last of his four qualifying laps. Tagliani took advantage of the miscues.

Schumacher tops in top fuel.

Tony Schumacher earned the No. 1 qualifying slot in top fuel when he paced the field at the NHRA Summer Nationals in Topeka, Kan.

Schumacher extended his NHRA top fuel career record for No. 1 qualifiers to 64. The other No. 1 qualifiers were Jack Beckman (funny car) and Mike Edwards (pro stock). Edwards earned his third No. 1 slot at Topeka.

• Mark Webber edged Formula One leader Sebastian Vettel in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona as Red Bull swept its fifth straight pole position of the season.

More in Sports

Big Sunday at the sold-out PC, where the Avalanche never trailed in a 5-1 victory over Detroit. Given the score and the circumstance, our game story is all about Nathan MacKinnon and his Hart Trophy candidacy.